In this commentary for Reporting ASEAN, Kavi Chongkittavorn makes a case for why the acronym ‘CLMV’, which sets Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam apart, is increasingly out of place some two decades after they became full members of ASEAN.

For years, Timor Leste has sought entry into ASEAN as its eleventh member state. It finally looks poised to do so under the chairmanship of the Philippines, which is very keen to bring the young democracy into its embrace. Kavi Chongkittavorn looks at its efforts thus far to join the regional grouping in this analysis for the Reporting ASEAN series.